He denied that the tweenie band - Falcon on bass and vocals, Ryo, 12, on drums and Bradford, 13, on lead guitar - was an attempt by him to cash in on his family's notoriety.

The interview with Gawker offered a fascinating insight into tween rock and how the family had tried to distance itself from the balloon scandal, or at least any hint that it is profiting from it.

Perhaps the most telling and touching quote comes near the start. Richard Heene tells reporter Camille Dodero that one Christmas he was so broke he gave his boys an elaborate building kit he made out of US$35 worth of materials:

"The kids loved it," he said. "They built a flying saucer out of it."

A flying saucer. There was a very long pause. "I did not say that," he said, eyeing the recorder before him. "Ughhhhh," he groaned. He put his face in his right hand, somewhat helplessly. "But they did literally build one!"